Civil War Farm in Lincoln County

 

     Keeping a family farm within the family is more than a personal goal. It is a strategy that benefits the farm and the family, making it an intergenerational connection and identity. Such is the farm located at 2982 Harmon Road in Lincolnton (about three miles west of town in the Howard’s Creek community.) Currently the farm is owned by Lawrence Heafner and Marie H. Michael (brother and sister.) Presently the farm consists of 108 acres; the home was built in 1877.

     Marie says, “The home was built by George Washington Heafner (GW.)  GW fought in the Civil War in the 47^th and was present at the surrender of the Confederate Army at Appomattox Courthouse.  He lost four brothers during the war.  He surrendered his gun at Appomattox and walked 250 miles back to his home in N.C. (which was across the line in Cleveland Co. at that time.) By family history, on the walk back he stayed in a home very similar to what he built on the present farm and he copied the design.  Twelve years after the war in 1877, GW had saved enough money to buy the present land and begin building the house and barn.  He sawed, hewed, cured and numbered his lumber from the many huge oaks on the farm and proceeded to assemble the home and barn.  You can still see the numbered logs in the old barn where we currently store hay and feed for our cows.”

     The family can be traced back to Johann Dietrich Heffner who arrived by ship from Germany at the Philadelphia port in 1744.  Johann received several land grants from the King of England in the year 1768 and was a blacksmith and miller in the area west of the South Fork River in Lincoln County.  His son Nicholas fought during the Revolutionary War in the battles of Ramseur’s Mill, Kings Mountain, and Eutaw Springs.  His son, Teter, was a farmer in Cleveland County.  It was G.W. Heafner of the Civil War period, who built the home in the Howard’s Creek area.  His son, Columbus lived and worked on the farm and took care of his elderly father who died at the age of 94.  Columbus had 10 children, all who went to college during the depression and of which is a source of pride for this country family.  Columbus and his wife Ocie saved enough money to put the first child through college and once he graduated, he sent money home from his job to put the next couple of kids into college.  And so, this system was passed on through the family until all 10 children graduated.  Banks Heafner inherited the farm and took care of his parents. At his death, his son Lawrence and daughter Marie inherited the farm which is where they live and work presently. The 10 kids of Columbus and Ocie instilled in their children a great family ethic by supporting each other and getting together on the farm for holidays despite having moved to create their own family dynamics.  Marie explains, “Presently the family still gathers at Easter, the 4^th of July and Thanksgiving from all over the U.S.  Gatherings will typically be over 50 people with family’s staying in the old farmhouse and in campers and tents in the yard for several days over the holiday weekend.  There are lots of stories told, lots of food eaten, lots of games played and lots of laughter from a family who cherishes what the word ‘family’ means.  First, second and third cousins come from the far states of Florida, Georgia, Washington, Iowa and even one from Japan as well as many families still in N.C.” This year is special because of America’s 250^th Birthday. Next year in 2027, the farm will be 150 years old.

     The farm has been many things through the years depending on farming circumstances, from growing cotton to a dairy farm.  It is now a small operation beef cow farm.  Lawrence also has pollinating bees for honey production.  The big barn as well as many outbuildings (granary, corn crib and smokehouse) are still maintained by Lawrence with the help of Marie and her husband Weldon.  George Washington has been described as an excellent carpenter, and the home and buildings are well built for the time period. Some of his furniture still exists at the farmhouse and is still enjoyed by the family gatherings. The family contributes financially in order to maintain the home place in excellent condition, because the family legacy is important to the Heafner’s descendants. Just like the sturdiness of hewn log buildings is essential because it directly affects their longevity, comfort, and ability to withstand challenges, their family ties are one of the most enduring and influential aspects, shaping the emotional, social and well-being across the lifespan of the legacy that still lives on.

 

 

First Book Signing at the Hampton Inn Conference Room Lincolnton NC

 Today I was blessed to have my first book signing for Love Brings You Home and Circle of Life and Love at the Hampton Inn Conference Room in Lincolnton this afternoon. 

Laurel Ridge Camp

 

The line of cars looked like a convoy as we traveled around the mountain with car loads of junior high kids. We were on our way to Laurel Springs, NC where the eastern continental divide snakes around the camp and conference center, not once, but twice. We arrived at dusk and unpacked the cars. We ate on log tables and then sat around telling faith stories by the fire until it was time to go to bed. The morning sun shone through the curtains and nudged us all out of bed. After breakfast we dressed for the hike. We huffed and puffed until we reached the Eastern Overlook.

The mountains were our cathedrals. We stood in silence. What are men to rocks and mountains? The bible says, “If I have faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothings.” Psalm 121 says, “I lift up my eyes unto the hills. From where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.” We learned that we climb mountains not so the world can see us, but so that we can see the world. There are high mountains and deep valleys in our lives. An old Chinese proverb says: If you don’t scale the mountains, you can’t view the path.

The mountains echoed, and we made our way back to camp.

Old Farm House in Appalachia Mountains

How can a region so rich in natural resources be so poor? There are no factories on the mountainsides, no crops to plant and no jobs. Rows of modest houses handed down from generation to generation are the only real possessions for some of the residents there. But houses need maintenance and when you don’t even have enough money to put shoes on your kids’ feet, fixing a hole in the roof is a low priority.

We took a group of high school youth up the mountain to help make a house warmer, safer and drier. We asked God why He allowed poverty in Appalachia when He could do something about it, but He asked us the same question. We went to help the poor, but they helped us. The things we take for granted, someone else is praying for. Henry Beecher says, “He is rich or poor according to what he is, not according to what he has.” We returned home with kids and adults who were stronger, wiser, and closer to God.

Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Event

Being in the top ten can mean acceptance and something good; being highest ranked. But it also can be a devastating number. North Carolina is consistently in the top ten states of Human Trafficking. Those statistics can be higher as most human trafficking is under reported. Human Trafficking is a very lucrative business with a 153 Billon Dollar industry; 42.5 million are trapped in modern day slavery and the data is showing 300,000 added yearly in the United States alone. Although Human Trafficking has always been around it is the fasted growing crime in the world; it has now surpassed drug trafficking. The FBI, SBI, local Police Departments, Sheriff Departments, NCIS, Homeland Security and others are working together to try to get a handle on this growing crime. It knows no economic boundaries, victims who are vulnerable and easily manipulated get trapped in the prostitution; 12 to 14 years of age children are currently the most targeted

I was honored to be invited by Senator Ted Alexander, North Carolina Senate 44^th District, to attend the Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Event on April 5 that was held at the Elizabeth Baptist Church in Shelby, NC. Over 100 interested folks came together to listen to speakers such as Christine Long, Executive Director of the NC Human Trafficking Commission, Charnessa Ridley, Deputy Director of the NC Council of Women and Youth, and testimonies from  Jasmine Myers, Shelby Thompson, and Latiana Appleberry of the Survivor Leader Network; amazing stories of despair and now hope. Keynote speaker was Raleigh Sadler, author of Author of Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking and founder of Let My People Go. Lance Lemmonds, Director of Operations at NC Institute of Human Trafficking spoke, along with Major Marc Nichols, Retired State Highway Patrol and Commission on NC Human Trafficking Commission. Darren Crotts, Program Manager from the NC Rural Center Faith in Communities spoke of the importance of awareness, in which this event was all about. Senator Alexander reiterated the importance of awareness with messages on educating yourself, your team and family, promoting awareness of the problem, keeping our eyes open for the signs and report, and support anti-trafficking, rescue, and rehabilitation efforts. Did you know that Charlotte ranks number one now in the State of NC? The Senator encourages all of us to share this blog and links; especially Compassion to Act and call 704-288-7230 if you, or someone you know may be in need of help.

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Agri Tourism in Carteret County NC - Featuring The Simpson Farm

I had the privilege to write about some of the farms in Carteret County, NC the past 5 years. My husband and I just moved to Lincoln County in the foothills of the NC Mountains in December 2023. I am still learning about my new 'place' and am looking forward to learning about some of the farms in our new town. As a Freelance Writer, I get to tell the 'story' of some amazing people along the way. I hope you enjoy the article below of one of the farms in Bettie, NC in a place called Down East. 

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The Simpson Farm in Bettie NC

Will Rodgers once said, “The farmer has to be an optimist, or he wouldn’t still be a farmer.” That is the beginning of the story of the Simpson’s Farm at 743 Highway 70 in Bettie, run by George and Sandra Simpson.  In 1918, George’s grandfather George (Frank) Simpson bought 20 acres of land in Bettie. He cleared the land by hand and by candlelight. He did the work at night because the nighttime was not so hot. He raised hogs and vegetables to feed his family. When Frank died, George’s father, Dyon, took over the farm in 1944. Dyon raised soybeans, cabbage and sweet potatoes to sell. In 1966, George and Sandra took over the farm. They truck-farmed mostly potatoes and cabbage. All their children helped with the farm, along with migrant workers they hired. When their children became grown and started having children, the grandchildren took over where their parents left off.

Sandra said, “Our farm stand is run by family. It is where we teach our grandchildren how things are grown and sold and to respect your customers.” Apparently, the ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings. George and Sandra did not “set out” to have a farm stand. When George Jr. was 11 years old, he wanted to grow some tomato plants. Of course, his parents encouraged him. That first summer, he had an abundance of tomatoes, so he set up a farm stand by the side of the road. The next year, he asked George and Sandra if they could build him a small greenhouse and if he could plant two rows of strawberries to sell. He sold those crops as well. They ended up building four large greenhouses. The farm stand was doing so well that George and Sandra began growing strawberries, cantaloupe, squash, sharp head cabbage, onions, potatoes and cherry tomatoes. Sandra spent her days doing a lot of cooking for everyone as all the workers had to be fed lunch and snacks. Her baked goods, jams, breads and pickles were such a hit that she was encouraged to bake and sell her goods as well. Another building was built with a commercial kitchen, and Sandra called it Nannie’s Bakery. She is most famous for her pies: strawberry, pineapple, coconut, Hawaiian, peach, sweet potato and Butterfinger. She also makes and sells cookies, cream bars and cakes, with her German Chocolate being the most sought after. The old barn still stands on the property. Sandra, smiling, said, “What if old barns could talk? They would have a lot to say.” No doubt, that barn is full of wisdom as it would tell the stories of the families that lived there, of the things and events that it witnessed, of the storms it endured and the endings of things. There will be stories told and forgotten, and some reinvented anew. A good life is a collection of happy memories. The barn has seen lots of beginnings and endings, but there is no real ending in life. It’s just the place where you stop the story.